Labour councillors were jubilant last night after regaining control of the borough in Reading.

The party had surprise wins from the Conservatives in Caversham and Kentwood and a strong swings in wards they expected to retain.

At the end of a long slow count in Rivermead Leisure Complex, Labour finished the night with 26 seats, the Conservatives with 12, Liberal Democrats with just four, the Green Party with three and one independent.

The Conservatives were relieved to win Peppard ward after the bitter dispute when sitting councillor Jaimie Chowdhary was not selected then stood as an independent against the official Tory candidate.

Liberal Democrats lost two seats in Katesgrove and Redlands wards.

Labour lost one seat to the Greens who now hold all three seats in Park ward.